Press Release

Mr. Thomas Lynch Elected as Chairman of ICON plc

ICON plc, (NASDAQ: ICLR)(ISIN: IE0005711209), a global provider
of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology
and medical device industries, today announced that, Mr. Thomas Lynch
has been appointed as Chairman of the board of ICON plc with effect from
1st January 2013.

Mr. Lynch has served as a Non-Executive Director of ICON since January
1996 and as Chairman of its Audit, Compensation and Nominations
Committees as well as Lead Independent Director since December 2009.

Mr. Lynch served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amarin
Corporation from December 2007 through December 2009 during which time
he re-purposed and refinanced the company toward the development of
Vascepa for hypertriglyceridemia and dislipidemia. Mr Lynch retired from
the Board of Amarin in October 2010 but continues as Chairman of Amarin
Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd.

Mr. Lynch served in a variety of senior roles in Elan Corporation plc
from 1993 to 2004. He was a director of IDA Ireland from 2001-2010 and
of the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden) from 2001-2010. He currently
serves as a director of GW Phamaceuticals plc, is Chairman of Dublin
Academic Medical Centre (an academic health science centre incorporating
the College of Health Sciences UCD Dublin, St Vincent’s Hospital Group
and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital); and the Queens
University of Belfast Foundation. He also serves as a board member of a
number of public and privately held pharmaceutical companies.

Mr. Lynch commented, “I am very pleased to assume the role of Chairman
at this time of great opportunity for ICON. I would like to thank Dr.
Bruce Given, my predecessor, for his contribution as Chairman over the
last three years. I look forward to working with my Board colleagues and
the executive team to help ICON continue to grow and enhance its
position as the global partner of choice in the CRO industry.”

The information contained in this release is as of 21st
December 2012. The statements made in this press release may contain
forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. A description of risks and uncertainties relating to ICON
and its business can be found in ICON’s
Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and in the
forms filed with the US
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Forms 20-F, F-1,
S-8 and F-3. ICON disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.

About ICON plc:

ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced development services to the
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company
specialises in the strategic development, management and analysis of
programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to
Phase I-IV clinical studies. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON
currently operates from 82 locations in 40 countries and has
approximately 9,430 employees. Further information is available at www.iconplc.com.

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